Lughnasadh: A Modern Pagan's Guide to Celebrating the First Harvest

As the wheel of the year turns, we find ourselves approaching Lughnasadh. This ancient Celtic celebration, also known as Lammas, marks the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox in the Wheel of the Year. It’s a time of gratitude for the first fruits of the harvest and a moment to reflect on our own growth and abundance.

For pagans and witches, Lughnasadh offers an opportunity to connect with the rhythms of nature and honour the cycle of life, death and rebirth. I’ve included a simple Lughnasadh ritual below that requires no special tools or ingredients. I’ve also included some creative and meaningful ways to celebrate that go beyond the traditional bread-making and corn dollies.

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the path, a city witch or a country witch, you’ll find inspiration for making this Lughnasadh a truly magical experience.

History of Lughnasadh

Lughnasadh, an ancient Celtic festival, has its roots in Irish mythology. Named after the god Lugh, a deity of light and skill, it was traditionally celebrated on August 1st or the nearest full moon, marking the beginning of the harvest season.

Legend tells that Lugh instituted this festival as a funeral feast and sporting event to honour his foster mother, Tailtiu, who died after preparing Ireland’s plains for agriculture. In ancient times, Lughnasadh was a grand affair featuring athletic contests, horse races and trading fairs. These gatherings served multiple purposes: honouring Lugh’s skills, bringing communities together, and providing a venue for political and social activities.

As Christianity spread, many Lughnasadh customs were absorbed into the Christian calendar, becoming associated with Lammas or “loaf mass.” Despite this, many traditional practices persisted in rural areas, such as hillwalking, bilberry gathering and bonfire celebrations.

Today, Lughnasadh has been reclaimed by many pagans and witches as a significant festival in the Wheel of the Year. While modern celebrations may differ from ancient practices, they continue to embody the spirit of gratitude, community and abundance that has always been at the heart of this festival.

As we celebrate Lughnasadh, it’s a good opportunity to recognise and honour the abundance that the Earth provides. Here are some meaningful ways to connect with nature’s bounty whether you live in the countryside or the city.

Creating a Lughnasadh Altar

I love creating an altar for each of the sabbats in the wheel of the year. However, as I have been doing this for many years, I am always on the lookout for new ideas to make my altar interesting. Here are a few ideas that can add to your altar beyond the traditional ones of bread, corn dollys and sunflowers.

A bowl of sun-warmed stones to represent the summer’s lingering heat
Feathers found on nature walks to symbolise achievement and reaching new heights
A small mirror to reflect on personal growth
Herbs from your garden tied with colourful ribbons
A handcrafted item showcasing a skill you’ve developed
A selection of ripe, locally grown fruits
Symbols of the sun, such as sun-shaped ornaments or yellow crystals
Blackberries or bilberries, if available in your area
A small cauldron or bowl filled with seeds
Objects representing personal achievements from the past year
Acorns or oak leaves, symbolising strength and endurance
A piece of citrine or pyrite for abundance
A small sickle or scythe (or a representation of one)
Grains like oats or corn kernels in a decorative bowl
A journal for writing down reflections or intentions for the coming season

Arrange these items intuitively, allowing your connection to the season to guide you. This unique altar serves as a focal point for your Lughnasadh celebrations and meditations.

A Simple Outdoor Lughnasadh Ritual

This ritual is best performed at dawn or early morning on Lughnasadh, in a natural setting such as a garden, park, or woodland. If this is not possible for you, feel free to complete this ritual any time around the beginning of August (or February if you are in the Southern Hemisphere).

If you do not have access to outside space, you can complete the ritual indoors, ideally facing a window. You could use houseplants or other natural items such as crystals or stones, leaves or feathers to create your circle.

Find a quiet spot outdoors where you won’t be disturbed.
Stand barefoot on the earth, if possible, to connect with nature’s energy.
Take a few deep breaths, letting go of any tension. Feel the ground beneath your feet and the air around you.
Facing east, say: “I greet the new day and the first harvest.”
Turn to the south and say: “I honour the warmth that ripens the grain.”
Face west and say: “I welcome the rains that nourish the land.”
Turn north and say: “I respect the earth that provides for us all.”
Collect a handful of natural items from your surroundings – perhaps leaves, small stones, or fallen twigs.
Using these items, create a small circle on the ground. As you place each item, think of something you’re grateful for in your life.
Stand before your circle and say: “On this Lughnasadh day, I give thanks for the abundance in my life. May I always appreciate the gifts of the earth and share my own gifts freely.”
Take a moment to reflect on your hopes for the coming harvest season, both literal and metaphorical.
To close the ritual, walk around your circle three times sunwise (clockwise), saying: “The wheel turns, the harvest comes. In gratitude, I celebrate this Lughnasadh.”
Carefully dismantle your circle, returning the items to nature.
Take a final moment to breathe deeply and ground yourself before going about your day.

A Candle Magic Ritual for Abundance

I love doing candle magic, so I couldn’t pass up a festival without including some. This candle ritual for abundance is simple and needs few tools and ingredients. You can focus your intention on whatever area of your life could do with a little more abundance whether that is financial, or a desire for more love, friendships, peace or creativity.

What you need

A green candle (representing growth and abundance)
A gold candle (symbolising prosperity)
A small dish of earth (representing the Earth’s bounty)
A coin (symbolising financial abundance)
Cinnamon or basil oil (both associated with abundance)
A fireproof dish or cauldron

What to do

Begin by creating a sacred space. You might choose to cast a circle or simply cleanse the area with incense or sound.
Place the green candle on your left and the gold candle on your right, with the dish of salt between them.
Anoint both candles with the cinnamon or basil oil, starting from the middle and moving outwards to the ends. As you do this, focus on your intentions for abundance in all areas of your life.
Light the green candle first, saying: “I invite growth and abundance into my life.”
Light the gold candle, saying: “I welcome prosperity and success in all my endeavours.”
Take the coin and hold it in your dominant hand. Close your eyes and visualise yourself surrounded by abundance – not just material wealth, but also abundance in love, health, and happiness.
When you feel ready, place the coin in the dish of salt, saying: “As this coin is embraced by the Earth’s abundance, so too is my life filled with plenty.”
Sit quietly and meditate on your vision of abundance for as long as you wish.
When you’re finished, extinguish the candles (avoid blowing them out – use a snuffer if possible).
Bury the earth and coin in your garden or in a plant pot as an offering, completing the cycle of abundance.

It’s helpful to perform this ritual during the waxing moon for added potency. You might also consider repeating it weekly or monthly to reinforce your intentions.

Create a Wildflower Seed Bomb Ritual

Create seed bombs using local wildflower seeds, clay and compost. As you form these small packages of life, focus your intentions on growth and renewal. Conclude the ritual by dispersing the seed bombs in areas that could benefit from more wildflowers, promoting biodiversity and beauty in your community.

What you Need

Meadow flower seeds or seeds collected from the garden.
Peat-free compost.
Water.
Powdered clay (found in craft shops) or clay soil
Mixing bowl.

What to do

In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of seeds with 5 cups of compost and 2-3 cups of clay powder (you could use clay soil instead if you have it).
Slowly mix in water with your hands until everything sticks together.
Roll the mixture into firm balls about the size of a 2p coin.
Leave the balls to dry in a sunny spot for 24-48 hours before use.
Now for the fun bit! Plant your seed bombs by throwing them at bare parts of the garden or areas of wasteland and wait to see what pops up!

Seed bombs are a delightful way to spread wildflowers and celebrate Lughnasadh’s connection to abundance and growth. However, it’s crucial to focus on native species to support local ecosystems. Non-native species can:

Outcompete native plants, reducing biodiversity
Disrupt local food chains and habitats
Potentially become invasive, causing long-term ecological damage

To find appropriate seeds, consult local gardening societies, native plant nurseries, or your county’s Wildlife Trust. They can provide guidance on which species will benefit your local pollinators and wildlife.

Bibliomancy with Nature-Themed Literature

Bibliomancy, the practice of seeking spiritual insight by randomly selecting passages from a book, can be a powerful and meaningful way to celebrate Lughnasadh. This ritual combines the wisdom of literature with the themes of nature and harvest central to the festival.

What you need

A nature-themed book of poetry or prose
A quiet, comfortable space
Optional: a candle and matches

What to do

Find a peaceful spot, preferably outdoors or near a window where you can see nature.
Hold your chosen book in your hands and take a few deep breaths, centring yourself and connecting with the energy of Lughnasadh.
If using a candle, light it now, focusing on its flame as a symbol of insight and inspiration.
State your intention aloud or in your mind. For example: “On this Lughnasadh, may I receive guidance for my personal harvest.”
Close your eyes and allow your fingers to rifle through the pages of the book.
When you feel drawn to stop, open your eyes and read the passage your fingers have landed on.
Reflect on how this passage relates to your life, the season, and your personal growth. How might it guide you in the coming harvest season?
Journal about your insights if you wish.
Close the ritual by thanking the book and the authors for their wisdom.

This practice can offer surprising insights and a deeper connection to the themes of Lughnasadh. The random nature of bibliomancy often leads to unexpectedly relevant and profound messages, helping you tune into the subtle energies of the season.

Remember, there’s no ‘wrong’ interpretation – trust your intuition and allow the words to speak to you in whatever way feels meaningful.

Journaling Ritual: Setting Intentions for the Harvest Season

As Lughnasadh marks the first harvest and the midpoint between summer solstice and autumn equinox, it’s an ideal time to reflect on our personal growth and set intentions for the coming season. This journaling ritual will help you connect with the energy of Lughnasadh and chart your course for the months ahead.

What you need

A journal or notebook
A pen you enjoy writing with
A quiet, comfortable space
Optional: candles, incense, or crystals to create a sacred atmosphere

What to do

Find a peaceful spot where you won’t be disturbed. If possible, choose a location outdoors or near a window where you can see nature.
Light a candle or some incense if you wish, to signal the start of your ritual.
Take a few deep breaths, grounding yourself and connecting with the energy of the season.
Open your journal and on the first page, write ‘Lughnasadh Intentions’ and the date.
Reflect on and answer the following questions:
- What have I ‘harvested’ in my life since the start of summer?
- What skills or qualities have I developed that I’m grateful for?
- What aspects of my life need more nurturing to reach their full potential?
- What do I hope to accomplish by the autumn equinox?
- How can I share my abundance with others?
Based on your reflections, write down 3-5 intentions for the coming season. Frame these positively and in the present tense, as if they’re already true. For example:
- “I am open to new opportunities for growth in my career.”
- “I nurture my creativity daily through artistic expression.”
- “I share my knowledge and skills generously with my community.”
For each intention, write down one concrete action you can take to move towards it.
Close your journaling session by writing a short gratitude list, acknowledging the abundance already present in your life.
Read your intentions aloud, feeling the energy of each one.
Close the ritual by thanking the Earth for its abundance and wisdom.

Revisit your journal regularly throughout the season to check in with your intentions and adjust them as needed. Remember, like the crops in the field, our personal growth requires patience, nurturing, and sometimes, gentle pruning.

This journaling ritual can become a powerful tool for self-reflection and manifestation, helping you align with the natural cycles of growth and harvest in your own life.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re celebrating in the countryside or in the heart of a bustling city, the spirit of Lughnasadh can be honoured in countless meaningful ways.

This ancient festival invites us to reflect on our personal growth, express gratitude for nature’s bounty, and set intentions for the harvests yet to come. Whether you choose to create a unique altar, perform a simple outdoor ritual, or engage in candle magic for abundance, the key is to make your celebration personal and significant to you.

Whatever form your celebration takes, may it be filled with the warmth of the summer sun and the promise of a bountiful harvest.

Wishing you a blessed and abundant Lughnasadh.